LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 


GA  WA  YNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 


GA  WAYNE  AND 
THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 


BY 

CHARLTON  MINER  LEWIS 


NEW    HAVEN 

YALE   UNIVERSITY  PRESS 
MDCCCCXVI 


LIBRARY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


COPYRIGHT,  1903,  BY  CHARLTON  MINER  LEWIS 
ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 

Published  October,  1903 


To 
G.  R.  L. 


CONTENTS 

PREFACE      .        ,        .        .        .  .        .      i 

CANTO  I  —  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  .        .          5 

CANTO  II  —  ELFINHARI       .        .  .        .    35 

CANTO  III  —  GA WAYNE  .      *',   "  .        .        61 

CANTO  IV  —  CONCLUSION   •        .  9  ,     .    93 


PREFACE 


PREFACE 

ARMS  and  the  man  I  sing,  —  not  as  of  old 
The  Mantuan  bard  his  mighty  verse  unrolled, 
But  in  such  humbler  strains  as  may  beseem 
Light  changes  rung  on  a  fantastic  theme. 
My  tale  is  ancient,  but  the  sense  is  new,  — 
Replete  with  monstrous  fictions,  yet  half  true 
And,  if  you  '11  follow  till  the  story  's  done, 
I  promise  much  instruction,  and  some  fun. 


CANTO   I 
THE  GREEN   KNIGHT 


CANTO   I 

THE  GREEN   KNIGHT 

KING  ARTHUR  and  his  court  were  blithe  and  gay 
In  high-towered  Camelot,  on  Christmas  day, 
For  all  the  Table  Round  were  back  again, 
At  peace  with  God  and  with  their  fellow-men 
Their  shields  hung  idly  on  the  pictured  wall ; 
Their  blood-stained  banners  decked  the  festal 

hall; 

Light  footsteps,  rustling  on  the  rush-strewn  floors, 
And  laughter,  rippling  down  long  corridors, 
Attested  minds  at  ease  and  hearts  at  play,  — 
Rude  Mars  unharnessed  for  love's  holiday. 


8      GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

In  the  great  hall  the  Christmas  feast  was  done. 
The  level  sunbeams  from  the  setting  sun 
Stretched  through  the  mullioned  casements  to 

the  wall, 

And  wove  fantastic  shadows  over  all. 
The  revelry  was  hushed.     In  tranquil  ease 
The  warriors  grouped  themselves  by  twos  and 

threes 

About  the  dames  and  damsels  of  the  court, 
And  chattered  careless  words  of  small  import ; 
But  in  an  alcove,  unobserved,  apart, 
Young  Gawayne  sat  with  Lady  Elfinhart. 
In  Arthur's  court  no  goodlier  knight  than  he 
Wore  shirt  of  mail,  or  Cupid's  panoply ; 
And  Elfinhart,  to  Gawayne's  eager  eyes, 
Of  all  heaven's  treasures  seemed  the  goodliest 

prize. 


THE  GREEN   KNIGHT  9 

Now  daylight  faded,  and  the  twilight  gloom 
Deepened  the  stillness  in  the  vaulted  room, 
Save  where  upon  the  hearth  a  fitful  glow 
Blushed  from  the  embers  as  the  fire  burned  low. 
There  is  a  certain  subtle  twilight  mood, 
When  two  hearts  meet  in  a  dim  solitude, 
That  thrills  the  soul  e'en  to  the  finger-tips, 
And  brings  the  heart's  dear  secrets  to  the  lips. 
In  Gawayne's  corner,  as  the  shades  grew  thicker, 
Four  eyes  waxed  brighter,  and  two  pulses  quicker ; 
Ten  minutes  more  of  quiet  talk  unbroken, 
And  heaven  alone  can  tell  what  might  be  spoken  ! 
But  it  was  not  to  be,  for  fates  unequal 
Compelled  —  but  this  anticipates  the  sequel. 
Just  in  the  nick  of  time,  King  Arthur  rose 
From  his  sedate  post-prandial  repose, 
And  called  for  lights.     Along  the  shadowy  aisles 


io     GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN, KNIGHT 

His  pages*  footsteps  pattered  o'er  the  tiles, 
Speeding  to  do  his  errand,  and  at  once 
Four  tapers  flickered  from  each  silver  sconce. 
The  scene  was  changed,  the  dreamer's  dream 

dispelled, 

And  what  might  else  have  been  his  fate  withheld 
From  Gawayne's  grasp.     So  may  one  touch  of 

chance 

Shatter  the  fragile  fabric  of  romance, 
And  all  the  heart's  desire,  —  the  joy,  the  trou 
ble,— 
Flash  to  oblivion  with  the  bursting  bubble  ! 

But  Arthur,  on  his  kingly  dais-seat, 

Felt  nothing  of  the  passion  and  the  heat 

That  fire  young  blood.     He  raised  his  warlike 

head 
And  glancing  moodily  around  him,  said : 


THE   GREEN   KNIGHT  n 

"  So  have  ye  feasted  well,  my  knights,  this  day, 
And  filled  your  hearts  with  revel  and  with  play. 
But  to  my  mind  that  day  is  basely  spent 
Which  passes  by  without  accomplishment 
Of  some  bright  deed  of  arms  or  chivalry. 
We  rust  in  indolence.     As  well  not  be, 
As  be  the  minions  of  an  idle  court 
Where  all  is  gallantry  and  girlish  sport ! 
Some  bold  adventure  let  our  thoughts  devise, 
To  stir  our  courage  and  to  cheer  our  eyes." 
And  lo  !  while  yet  he  spoke,  from  far  away 
In  the  thick  shroud  of  the  departed  day, 
Upon  the  frosty  air  of  evening  borne, 
Came  the  faint  challenge  of  a  fairy  horn  ! 

King  Arthur  started  up  in  mild  surprise, 
While  knights   and   dames   looked   round  with 
questioning  eyes, 


12     GAWAYNE  AND   THE   GREEN   KNIGHT 

And  each  to  other  spoke  some  hurried  word, 
As,  "  Did  you  hear  it  ?  "  —  "  What  was  that  I 

heard  ? " 

But  well  they  knew  ;  for  you  must  understand 
That  Camelot  lay  close  to  Fairyland, 
And  the  wild  blast  of  fairy  horns,  once  known, 
Is  straightway  recognized  as  soon  as  blown, 
Being  a  sound  unique,  unearthly,  shrill,  — 
Between  a  screech-owl  and  a  whip-poor-will. 
The  mischief  is,  that  no  one  e'er  can  tell 
Whether  such  heralding  bodes  ill  or  well ! 

The  ladies  of  the  palace  looked  faint  fear, 
Dreading  some  perilous  adventure  near  ; 
For  peril  can  the  bravest  spirits  move, 
When  threatening  not  ourselves,  but  those  we 
love; 


THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  13 

But  Lady  Elfinhart  clapped  hands  in  glee,  — 

In  sooth,  no  sentimentalist  seemed  she,  — 

And  cried  :  "  Now,  brave  Sir  Gawayne,  —  O  what 

fun! 

Succor  us,  save  us,  else  we  are  undone ; 
Show  us  the  prowess  of  your  arm  this  night ; 
I  never  saw  a  tilt  by  candle-light !  " 
Gaily  she  spoke,  and  seemed  all  unconcerned ; 
And  yet  a  curious  watcher  might  have  learned 
From  a  slight  quaver  in  her  laughter  free 
To  doubt  the  frankness  of  her  flippancy. 
Gawayne,  bewildered,  looked  the  other  way, 
And  wondered  what  she  meant ;  for  in  that  day 
The  ready  wit  of  man  was  under  muzzle, 
And  woman's  heart  was  still  an  unsolved  puzzle  \ 
And  Gawayne,  though  in  valor  next  to  none, 
Wished  that  her  heart  had  been  a  tenderer  one. 


H     GA WAYNE  AND   THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

His  sword  was  out  for  any  foe  on  earth, 
And  yet  to  face  death  for  a  lady's  mirth 
Seemed  scarce  worth  while.  What  honor  bade, 

he 'Id  do, 
But  would  have  liked  to  see  a  tear  or  two. 

While  thus  he  pondered,  came  a  sudden  burst 
Of  high-pitched  fairy  horn-calls,  like  the  first, 
But  nearer,  clearer,  deadlier  than  before, 
Blown  seemingly  from  just  outside  the  door. 
The  casements  shook,  the  taper  lights  all  trem 
bled; 

The  bravest  knight's  dismay  was  ill-dissembled ; 
And  as  all  sprang  with  one  accord  to  win 
Their  swords  and  shields,  stern  combat  to  begin, 
The  great  doors  shot  their  bolts,  and  opened 
slowly  in. 


THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  15 

And  now  my  laboring  muse  is  hard  beset, 
For  something  followed  such  as  never  yet 
Was  writ  or  sung,  by  human  voice  or  hand, 
Save  those  that  tell  old  tales  from  Fairyland. 
"  Miracles  do  not  happen  :  "  —  't  is  plain  sense, 
If  you  italicize  the  present  tense ; 
But  in  those  days,  as  rare  old  Chaucer  tells, 
All  Britain  was  fulfilled  of  miracles. 
So,  as  I  said,  the  great  doors  opened  wide. 
In  rushed  a  blast  of  winter  from  outside, 
And  with  it,  galloping  on  the  empty  air, 
A  great  green  giant  on  a  great  green  mare 
Plunged  like  a  tempest-cleaving  thunderbolt, 
And  struck  four-footed,  with  an  earthquake's  jolt, 
Plump  on  the  hearthstone.     There  the  uncouth 

wight 
Sat  greenly  laughing  at  the  strange  affright 


16     GA WAYNE   AND    THE   GREEN    KNIGHT 

That  paled  all  cheeks  and  opened  wide  all  eyes ; 
Till  after  the  first  shock  of  quick  surprise 
The  people  circled  round  him,  still  in  awe, 
And  circling  stared ;  and  this  is  what  they  saw : 
Cassock  and  hood  and  hose,  of  plushy  sheen 
Like  close-cut  grass  upon  a  bowling-green, 
Covered  his  stature,  from  his  verdant  toes 
To   the  green  brows   that   topped   his   emerald 

nose. 

His  beard  was  glossy,  like  unripened  corn ; 
His  eyes  shot  sparklets  like  the  polar  morn, 
But  like  in  hue  unto  that  deep-sea  green 
Wherewith  must  shine  those  gems  of  ray  serene 
The  dark,  unfathomed  caves  of  ocean  bear. 
Green  was  his  raiment,  green  his  monstrous  mare,. 
He  rode  unarmed,  uncorsleted,  unshielded, 
Except  that  in  his  huge  right  hand  he  wielded 


THE  GREEN   KNIGHT  i? 

A  frightful  battle-axe,  with  blade  as  green 

As  coppery  rust ;  —  but  the  long  edge  shone  keen. 

Such  was  the  stranger,  and  he  turned  his  head 
From  one  side  to  the  other,  and  then  said, 
With  gentle  voice,  most  like  a  summer  breeze 
That  rustles  through  the  leaves  of  the  green  trees  : 
"  So  this  is  Arthur's  court !     My  noble  lord, 
You  said  just  now  you  felt  a  trifle  bored, 
And  wished,  instead  of  dancing,  feasting,  flirting, 
Your  gallant  warriors  might  be  exerting 
Their  puissance  upon  some  worthier  thing. 
The  wish,  my  lord,  was  worthy  of  a  king  ! 
It  pleased  me ;  here  I  am ;  and  I  intend 
To  serve  your  fancy  as  a  faithful  friend. 
I  bring  adventure,  —  no  hard,  tedious  quest, 
But  merely  what  I  call  a  merry  jest. 


i8     GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

Let  some  good  knight,  the  doughtiest  of  you  all, 

Swing  this  my  battle-axe,  and  let  it  fall 

On  whatsoever  part  of  me  he  will ; 

I  will  abide  the  blow,  and  hold  me  still  j 

But  let  him,  just  a  twelvemonth  from  this  day, 

Come  to  me,  if  by  any  means  he  may, 

And  let  me,  if  I  live,  pay  back  my  best, 

As  he  pays  me.     What  think  you  of  the  jest  ?  " 

He  said ;  and  made  a  courteous  bow,  —  the  while 

Lighting  his  features  with  a  bright  green  smile ; 

As  when  June  breezes,  after  rain-clouds  pass, 

Ripple  in  sunlight  o'er  the  unmown  grass. 

The  jest  seemed  fair  indeed ;  but  none  the  less 
No  knight  showed  any  undue  forwardness 
To  seize  the  offer.     Some  with  laughter  free 
Daffed  it  aside ;  while  others  carelessly 


THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  19 

Strolled  to  the  farthest  corners  of  the  hall 

As  if  they  had  not  heard  his  words  at  all, 

And  whistled  with  an  air  of  idle  ease, 

Or  studied  figures  in  the  tapestries. 

Not  so  Sir  Gawayne.     Vexed  in  mind  he  stood 

With  downcast  eyes,  and    knew  not  what   he 

would. 

Trained  in  the  school  of  chivalry  to  prize 
His  honor  as  the  light  of  his  dear  eyes, 
He  held  his  life,  his  fortunes,  everything, 
In  sacred  trust  for  knighthood  and  his  king, 
And  in  the  battle-field  or  tilting-yard 
He  met  his  foe  full-fronted,  and  struck  hard. 
But  now  it  seemed  a  foolish  thing  to  throw 
One's  whole  life  to  the  fortune  of  a  blow. 
True  valor  breathes  not  in  the  braggart  vaunt ; 
True  honor  takes  no  shame  from  idle  taunt ; 


20    GA WAYNE  AND   THE  GREEN   KNIGHT 

So  let  this  wizard,  if  he  wants  to,  scoff ; 
Why  should  our  hero  have  his  head  cut  off  ? 

While  thus  Sir  Gawayne,  wrapped  in  thought  in 
tense, 

Debated  honor  versus  common  sense, 
The  stranger  knight  was  casting  his  green  glance 
Around  the  circling  throng,  —  until  by  chance 
He  met  the  eyes  of  Lady  Elfinhart, 
And  —  did  she  flush  ?  —  and  did  the  Green  Knight 

start  ? 

Surely  a  quiver  twinkled  in  each  eye ; 
But  what  of  that  ?     It  need  not  signify  : 
Beneath  his  glance  a  brave  man  well  might  flush ; 
What  wonder  then  that  a  fair  maid  should  blush  ? 
And  as  for  him,  no  man  that  ever  loved 
Could  look  upon  her  loveliness  unmoved. 


THE   GREEN   KNIGHT  21 

Could  I  but  picture  her  —  ah,  you  would  deem 
My  tale  the  figment  of  a  poet's  dream ; 
And  if  you  saw  her,  (could  such  bliss  be  given), 
You  'Id    think  yourself  in    dreamland  —  or    in 

heaven. 

Not  the  red  rapture  of  new-wakened  roses, 
When  morning  dew  their  soul  of  love  uncloses, 
(Roses  that  must  be  wooed,  —  nor  may  be  won 
Save  by  the  prince  of  lovers,  the  warm  sun), 
Not  the  fair  lily,  nor  the  violet  shy, 
Whose  heart's  love  lurks  deep  in  her  still  blue  eye, 
Nor  any  flower,  the  loveliest  and  the  best, 
Can  image  to  you  half  the  charm  compressed 
In  those  dear  eyes,  those  lips,  —  nay,  every  part 
That  made  that  sum  of  witcheries  —  Elfinhart. 

Her  face  was  a  dim  dream  of  shadowy  light, 
Like  misty  moonbeams  on  the  fields  of  night, 


22    GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

And  in  her  voice  sweet  nature's  sweetest  tunes 

Sang  the  glad  song  of  twenty  cloudless  Junes. 

Her  raiment,  —  nay ;  go,  reader,  if  you  please, 

To  some  sage  Treatise  on  Antiquities, 

Whence  writers  of  historical  romances 

Cull  old  embroideries  for  their  new-spun  fancies ; 

I  care  not  for  the  trivial,  nor  the  fleeting. 

Beneath  her  dress  a  woman's  heart  was  beating 

The  rhythm  of  love's  eternal  eloquence, 

And  I  confess  to  you,  in  confidence, 

Though  flowers  have  grown  a  thousand  years 

above  her, 
Unseen,  unknown,  with  all  my  soul  I  love  her. 

From  these  digressions  upon  love  and  glory, 
'T  is  time  we  were  returning  to  our  story. 
I  only  meant,  in  a  few  words,  to  tell  you 
(For  fear  my  heroine's  conduct  should  repel  you) 


THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  23 

That  if  she  jests,  for  instance,  out  of  season, 
Perhaps  there  is  a  good  substantial  reason. 
Sir  Gawayne,  had  he  seen  the  stranger  wink 
And  seen  the  lady  blushing,  you  may  think 
Might  have  been  spared  a  most  unhappy  lot. 
Perhaps  you  're  right ;  —  but  peradventure  not. 
I  give  you  but  a  hint,  for  half  the  art 
Of  narrative  is  holding  back  a  part, 
And  if  without  reserve  I  gave  my  best 
In  the  first  canto,  who  would  read  the  rest  ( 

But  now  Sir  Gawayne,  with  a  troubled  eye, 
Looked  up,  and  saw  his  lady  standing  by. 
Quoth  he  :  "  And  if  this  conjurer  unblest 
Win  no  acceptance  of  his  bitter  jest, 
How  then  in  after  days  shall  Arthur's  court 
Confront  the  calumny  and  foul  report 


24    GA WAYNE   AND   THE   GREEN   KNIGHT 

Of  idle  tongues  ?  "  The  wrath  in  Gawayne's  eyes 
Flashed  for  an  instant ;  then  in  humbler  wise 
He  spoke  on  :  "  Yet  God  grant  I  be  not  blind 
Where  honor  lights  the  way ;  for  to  my  mind 
True  honor  bids  us  shun  the  devil's  den, 
To  fight  God's  battles  in  the  world  of  men. 
Who  takes  this  challenge  up,  I   doubt  will   rue 

it." 

Quoth  Elfmhart :  "  I  'Id  like  to  see  you  do  it  I  " 
She  laughed  a  gay  laugh,  but  by  hard  constraint : 
Then  turned  and  hid  her  face,  all  pale  and  faint, 
As  one  might  be  who  stabs  and  turns  the  knife 
In  the  warm  heart  of  one  more  dear  than  life. 
She  turned  and  Gawayne  saw  not ;  but  he  heard, 
And  felt  his  heart-strings  tighten  at  her  word. 
"  Nay,  lady,  if  you  wish  it  I  will  try ; 
Be  your  least  wish  my  will,  although  I  die ! 


THE   GREEN  KNIGHT  *5 

Yet  one  thing,  if  I  may,  I  fain  would  ask, 
Before  I  make  the  venture  ;  —  if  this  task 
Prove  fateful  as  it  threatens,  —  do  you  care  ?  " 
"  Perhaps,"  said  Elfmhart,  "  you  do  not  dare  ! " 
Lightly  she  laughed,  and  scoffing  tossed  her  head, 
Yet  spoke  as  one  who  knew  not  what  she  said, 
With  random  words,  and  with  quick-taken  breath ; 
Then  turned  again,  ere  that  same  look  of  death 
Should  steal  upon  her  and  betray  her  heart 
Despite  all  stratagems  of  woman's  art. 
And  Gawayne  heard  but  saw  not ;  and  the  night 
Descended  on  him,  and  his  face  grew  white 
With  grief  and  passion.     When  all  else  is  lost, 
The  brave  man  gives  life  too,  nor  counts  the  cost. 
"  I   dreamt,"   he   murmured   to    himself,    "  and 

dreaming 
I  took  for  truth  what  was  but  sweetest  seeming. 


26    GA WAYNE   AND   THE   GREEN   KNIGHT 

My  waking  eyes  find  naught  in  life  to  keep ; 
I  take  the  venture,  and  so  back  —  to  sleep." 

By  this,  the  stranger  had  at  last  become 
Tired  of  long  waiting,  and  of  sitting  dumb 
Upon  his  charger ;  so  with  greenest  leer 
He  vented  his  impatience  in  a  sneer. 
"  Is  this,"  he  said,  "  the  glorious  Table  Round, 
And  is  its  glory  naught  but  empty  sound  ? 
Braggarts !  I  put  your  bluster  to  the  test, 
And  find  you  quail  before  a  merry  jest !  " 
Then  the  great  king  himself  stood  up  in  ire, 
With  clenched  hand  raised,  and  eyes  that  gleamed 

dark  fire, 

And  fronting  the  Green  Knight  he  cried  :  "  For 
bear! 
For  by  my  sword  Excalibur  I  swear, 


THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  27 

"  Whate'er  thou  be,  thou  shalt  not  carry  hence 
Unscathed  the  memory  of  thine  insolence. 
Such  jests  as  thine  please  not ;  yet  even  so 
I  take  thine  axe ;  kneel  thou,  and  take  my  blow." 

Across  the  Green  Knight's  features  there  was 

seen 

To  pass  a  fleeting  shade  of  deeper  green, 
Whether  of  disappointment  or  resentment 
None  knew ;  but  straight  a  smile  of  bright  con 
tentment 

Followed,  as  through  the  throng  of  dazed  be 
holders 

He  saw  Sir  Gawayne  thrust  his  sturdy  shoulders. 
The  stranger  winked  at  Elfinhart  once  more, 
Well  pleased,  and  Gawayne  knelt  down  on  the 
floor. 


28    GA WAYNE   AND   THE  GREEN   KNIGHT 

"  A  boon,"  he  cried,  "  a  boon,  my  lord  and  king! 

If  ever  yet  in  any  little  thing 

These   hands   have   served   thee,   hear  my  last 

request : 

Let  me  adventure  this  mad  monster's  jest !  " 
King  Arthur  shook  his  head  in  dumb  denial, 
Loth  to  withdraw  his  own  hand  from  the  trial, 
And  leave  the  vengeance  that  himself  had  vowed ; 
But  all  the  people  called  to  him  aloud, 
"  Sir  Gawayne  !  let  Sir  Gawayne  strike  the  blow  !  " 
And  Guinevere,  the  queen,  besought  him  low 
To  leave  this  venture  to  the  lesser  man. 
He  yielded,  and  the  merry  jest  began. 

The  visitor,  dismounting,  made  a  bow 
To  Arthur,  then  to  all  the  court.     "  And  now," 
Said  he  to  Gawayne,  "  wheresoe'er  you  choose 
To  strike  your  blow,  strike  on  ;  I  '11  not  refuse  ; 


THE   GREEN  KNIGHT  29 

Head,  shoulders,  chest,  or  waist,  I  little  reck ; 
Where  shall  it  be  ?  "    Quoth  Gawayne,  "  In  the 
neck ! " 

So  Gawayne  took  the  axe.     The  stranger  knelt 
Before  him  on  the  hearth  and  loosed  his  belt, 
And  threw  back  his  green  cassock  and  his  hood, 
To  give  his  foe  the  fairest  mark  he  could. 
Then  thus  to  Gawayne  :  "  Ready !  But  remember 
To  come  the  twenty-fifth  of  next  December, 
And  take  from  me  the  self-same  stroke  again  ! " 
"  And  where,"  asked  Gawayne,  "  may  I  find  you 

then  ?  " 
"  We  '11  speak  of  that,  please,  when  you  Ve  struck 

your  blow ; 

For  if  I  can't  speak,  then  you  need  not  go  ! " 
He  chuckled  softly  to  himself ;  then  turned 
And  waited  for  the  blow,  all  unconcerned. 


30    GAWAYNE   AND  THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

Not  so  the  knights  and  ladies  of  the  court ; 
They  pushed  and  craned  their  necks  to  see  the 

sport ; 

Not  from  the  lust  of  blood,  for  few  expected 
To  see  blood  shed,  or  the  Green  Knight  dis 
sected, 

But  knowing  that  some  marvel  was  in  store 
Unparalleled  in  all  Arthurian  lore, 
And  fairly  filled  with  wide-eyed  wonderment. 
But  Lady  Elfinhart  stayed  not.     She  went 
Into  the  alcove  where  we  saw  her  first 
And  laid  her  sweet  face  in  her  arms,  and  burst 
Into  —  but  none  could  tell,  unless  by  peeping, 
Whether  she  shook  with  laughter  or  with  weeping. 

And  Gawayne  rubbed  his  arms,  his  chest  he  beat, 
Then  grasped  the  battle-axe  and  braced  his  feet, 


THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  3* 

And  swung  the  ponderous  weapon  high  in  air, 
And   brought   it   down   like  lightning,  fair   and 

square 
Upon   the   stranger's   neck.      The   axe   flashed 

through, 

Cutting  the  Green  Knight  cleanly  right  in  two, 
And   split   the   hard   stone   floor    like   kindling 

wood. 
The  head  dropped  off ;  out  gushed  the  thick,  hot 

blood 

Like  —  I  can't  find  the  simile  I  want, 
But  let  us  say  a  flood  of  creme  de  menthe  f 
And  then  the  warriors  standing  round  about 
Sent  up  from  fifty  throats  a  mighty  shout, 
As  when  o'er  blood-sprent  fields  the  long  cheers 

roll 
Cacophonous,  for  him  who  kicks  a  goal. 


32    GA WAYNE   AND   THE   GREEN   KNIGHT 

"  O  Gawayne !  Well  done,  Gawayne  !  "  they  all 

cried ; 

But  straight  the  tumult  and  the  shouting  died, 
And  deadly  pallor  overspread  each  face, 
For  the  knight's  body  stood  up  in  its  place 
And  stepping  nimbly  forward  seized  the  head 
That  lay  still  on  the  hearth-stone,  seeming  dead ; 
Then  vaulted  lightly,  with  a  careless  air, 
Back  to  the  saddle  of  his  grass-green  mare. 
He  held  the  head  up,  and  behold !  it  spoke. 
"  My  best  congratulations  on  that  stroke, 
Sir  Gawayne ;  it  was  delicately  done ! 
Our  merry  little  jest  is  well  begun, 
But  look  you  fail  me  not  this  day  next  year ! 
At  the  Green  Chapel  by  the  Murmuring  Mere 
I  will  await  you  when  the  sun  sinks  low, 
And  pay  you  back  full  measure,  blow  for  blow  J  " 


THE  GREEN  KNIGHT  33 

He  wheeled  about,  the  doors  flew  wide  once  more, 
The  mare's  hoofs  struck  green  sparkles  from  the 

floor, 

And  with  a  whirring  flash  of  emerald  light 
Both  horse  and  rider  vanished  in  the  night. 

Then  all  the  lords  and  ladies  rubbed  their  eyes 
And  slowly  roused  themselves  from  dumb  sur 
prise. 

The  great  hall  echoed  once  more  with  the  clatter 
Of  laughing  men's  and  frightened  women's  chat 
ter; 

But  Gawayne,  with  the  axe  in  hand,  stood  still, 
Heedless  of  what  was  passing,  with  no  will 
For  life  or  death,  for  all  that  made  life  dear 
Was  fled  like  summer  when  the  leaves  fall  sere. 
And  Arthur  spoke,  misreading  Gawayne's  thought: 
"  Heaven  send  we  have  not  all  too  dearly  bought 


34    GAWAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

Our  evening's  pastime,  Gawayne.    You  have  done 
As  fits  a  fearless  knight,  and  nobly  won 
Our  thanks  in  equal  measure  with  our  praise. 
Be  both  remembered  in  the  after  days ! " 

So  spoke  the  king,  and,  to  confirm  his  word, 
From  far  away  in  the  deep  night  was  heard 
Once  more  the  fairy  horn-call,  clear  and  shrill ; 
It  died  upon  the  wind,  and  all  was  still. 
The  hour  was  late.     King  Arthur,  rising,  said 
Good-night  to  all  his  court,  and  went  to  bed 


CANTO   II 

ELFINHART 


CANTO   II 

ELFINHART 

IN  Canto  I.  I  followed  the  old  rule 

We    learned   from    Horace  when  we  went    to 

school, 

And  took  a  headlong  plunge  in  medias  res, 
As  Maro  did,  and  blind  Maeonides ; 
And  now,  still  following  the  ancient  mode, 
I  come  to  the  time-honored  "  episode," 
Retrace  my  way  some  twenty  years  or  more, 
And  tell  you  what  I  should  have  told  before. 
It  seems  an  awkward  method,  but  it 's  art ;  — 
Besides,  it  brings  us  back  to  Elfinhart. 


38    GAWAYNE  AND  THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

In  those  dark  days  before  King  Arthur  came, 
When  Britain  was  laid  waste   with   sword   and 

flame, 
When  cut-throats  lurked  behind  the  blossoming 

thorn, 
And  young  maids  cursed  the  day  when  they  were 

born, 

A  lady,  widowed  in  one  hideous  night, 
Fled  over  heath  and  hill,  and  in  her  flight 
Came  to  the  magic  willow-woods  that  stand 
Beside  the  Murmuring  Mere,  in  Fairyland  ; 
And  there,  untimely,  by  the  forest-side, 
Clasping  her  infant  in  her  arms,  she  died. 
Yet  not  all  friendless,  —  for  such  mortal  throes 
Pass  not  unpitied,  though  no  mortal  knows ;  — 
The  spirits  that  infest  the  clearer  air 
Looked  down  upon  the  innocent  lady  there, 


ELFINHART  39 

While  troops  of  fairies  smoothed  her  mossy  bed 
And  with  sweet  balsam  pillowed  her  fair  head. 
Her  dim  eyes  could  not  see  them,  but  she  guessed 
Whose  gentle  ministrations  thus  had  blessed 
Her  travail ;  and  when  pitying  fairies  laid 
Upon  her  heart  the  child,  —  a  blue-eyed  maid,  — 
Ere  yet  her  troubled  spirit  might  depart, 
With  one  last  word  she  named  her  "  Elfinhart." 

So  with  new-quickened  love  the  fairy  elves 
Took  the  forlorn  child-maiden  to  themselves 
And  reared  her  in  the  wildwood,  where  no  jar 
Of  alien  discord,  echoing  from  afar, 
Broke  the  sweet  forest  murmur,  long  years  round. 
Her  ears,  attuned  to  every  woodland  sound, 
Translated  to  her  soul  the  great  world's  voice, 
And  the  world-spirit  made  her  heart  rejoice. 


40    GAWAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

And  love  was  hers,  —  perennial,  intense,  — 
The  love  that  wells  from  joy  and  innocence 
And  sanctifies  the  cloistered  heart  of  youth,  — 
The  love  of  love,  of  beauty,  and  of  truth. 

So  Elfinhart  grew  up.     Each  passing  year 
Of  forest  life  beside  the  Murmuring  Mere 
Enriched  tenfold  the  natural  dower  of  grace 
That  shone  from  the  pure  spirit  in  her  face. 
I  cannot  tell  why  each  revolving  season 
Enhanced  her  beauty  thus.    Some  say  the  reason 
Was  in  the  stars ;  /  think  those  luminaries 

Had  less  to  do  with  it  than  had  the  fairies ! 

• 

The  more  they  found  of  grace  in  her,  the  more 
Their  silent  influence  added  to  her  store ; 
For  they  were  always  with  her ;  they  and  she 
Still  bore  each  other  loving  company. 


ELFINHART  41 

And  yet  one  further  virtue,  —  not  the  least 
Of  those  that  make  life  lovable,  —  increased 
In  Elfinhart's  sweet  nature  from  her  birth 
By  fairy  tutelage ;  and  that  was  mirth. 
For  fairy  natures  are  compounded  all 
Of  whimsies  and  of  freaks  fantastical, 
And  what  the  best  of  fairies  loves  the  best 
(Except  pure  kindness)  is  an  artless  jest. 
And  so  wise  men  have  argued,  on  the  whole, 
That  the  misguided  creatures  have  no  soul ; 
But  as  for  me,  if  the  bright  fairy  elf 
Has  none,  I  '11  get  along  without,  myself  ! 
These  fairies  laughed  and  danced  and  sang  sweet 

songs, 

And  did  all  else  that  to  their  craft  belongs,  — 
All  tricks  and  pranks  of  whole-souled  jollity 
That  make  life  merry  'neath  the  greenwood  tree. 


42    GAWAYNE  AND   THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

The  youngest  of  them  childishly  beguiled 
The  time  when  Elfmhart  was  still  a  child  ; 
They  pinched  her  fingers,  and  they  pulled  her  ears, 
Or  sometimes,  when  her  blue  eyes  dreamed  of 

tears, 
Half  smothered  her  with  showers  of  four-leafed 

clover,  — 

Then  fled  for  refuge  to  some  sweet-fern  cover ; 
But  she  pursued  them  through  their  tangled  lair 
And  caught  them,  and  put  fire-flies  in  their  hair  ; 
And  then  they  all  joined  hands,  and  round  and 

round 
They  danced  a  morris  on  the  moonlit  ground. 

The  years  went  by,  and  Elfmhart  outgrew 
The  madcap  antics  of  the  younger  crew, 
(For  fairies  age  but  slowly  :  don't  forget 
That  at  two  hundred  they  are  children  yet !) 


ELFINHART  43 

But  still  she  frolicked  with  them,  though  scarce 

0/"them, 
And   learned  each  year  more  tenderly  to  love 

them. 

But  most  of  all  she  loved  with  all  her  heart 
On  quiet  summer  nights  to  walk  apart 
And  hold  close  converse  with  the  fairies'  queen,  — 
A  radiant  maiden  princess  who  had  seen 
Some  twenty  centuries  of  revolving  suns 
Pass  over  Fairyland,  —  all  golden  ones ! 
Sometimes  they  sat  still  in  the  mild  moon's  light, 
Where  chestnut  blooms  made  sweet  the  breath  of 

night, 

And  talked  of  the  great  world  beyond  the  wood,  — 
Of  death,  or  sin,  or  sorrow,  understood 
Of  neither,  —  till  the  twinkling  stars  were  gone, 
And  bustling  Chanticleer  proclaimed  the  dawn. 


44    GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

And  Elfinhart  grew  wise  in  fairy  learning ; 
But  by  degrees  a  half  unconscious  yearning 
For  humankind  stirred  in  her  gentle  heart, 
And  woke  a  deep  desire  to  bear  her  part 
Of  love  and  sorrow  in  the  larger  life 
As  sister,  helper,  —  nay,  perhaps  as  wife  ;  — 
For  such  vague  instincts,  after  all,  are  human, 
And  Elfinhart  herself  was  but  a  woman. 
And  yet,  for  all  this  new  desire,  I  doubt 
If  Elfinhart  would  e'er  have  spoken  out, 
And  told  the  fairies  of  her  wish  to  leave  them, 
(A  wish   her  conscious  heart  well   knew  would 

grieve  them), 

If  in  the  ripening  of  her  silent  thought 
A  still  voice  had  not  whispered  that  she  ought 
To  leave  that  world  of  love  and  mirth  and  beauty, 
To  share  man's  burden  in  this  world  of  duty. 


ELFINHART  45 

(There  's  anticlimax  for  you  !     Most  provoking, 

Just  when  you  thought  that  I  was  only  joking, 

Or  idly  fingering  the  poet's  laurel, 

To  find  my  story  threatens  to  be  moral ! 

But   as  for   morals,  though   in   verse  we   scout 

them, 

In  life  we  somehow  can't  get  on  without  them ; 
So  if  I  don't  insert  a  moral  distich 
Once  in  a  while,  I  can't  be  realistic ;  — 
And  in  this  tale,  I  solemnly  aver, 
My  one  wish  is  to  tell  things  as  they  were  ! 
But  not  all  things ;  time  flies,  and  art  is  long, 
And  I  must  hurry  onward  with  my  song.) 
How  Elfinhart  at  last  told  what  she  wanted, 
And  what  the  fairies  said,  please  take  for  granted. 
She  prayed,  they  yielded  ;  Elfinhart  full  loth 
To  leave,  as  they  to  let  her  go,  but  both 


46    GAWAYNE  AND  THE   GREEN   KNIGHT 
Agreeing  that  this  bitter  thing  must  be ; 
For  they  were  fairies,  and  a  mortal  she. 
But  ere  they  yielded,  they  made  imposition 
Of  what  then  seemed  to  her  a  light  condition. 
'T  was  done  in  kindness,  be  it  understood, 
With  fairy  foresight  for  the  maiden's  good. 
The  elf-queen  spoke  for  all :  "  Dear  Elfinhart, 
We  bind  you  to  one  promise  ere  we  part. 
We  fear  naught  from  men's  malice;   hate  and 

wrath 

And  every  evil  thing  will  shun  your  path, 
And  sunshine  will  go  with  you  when  you  move  j 
The  only  danger  that  we  dread  is  love. 
If  in  the  after  days,  when  suitors  woo  you, 
Your  heart  makes  choice  of  one,  as  dearest  to  you, 
Before  you  put  your  hand  in  his  and  own 
The  sacred  trust  reserved  for  him  alone, 


ELFINHART  47 

Let  us  make  trial  of  him,  and  approve 

His  virtue,  and  his  manhood,  and  his  love. 

Send  him  to  us ;  and  if  he  bears  the  test, 

And  if  we  find  him  worthy  to  be  blest 

With  love  like  yours,  be  sure  we  will  befriend 

him; 

And  may  a  life-long  happiness  attend  him ! 
But  if  he  prove  a  traitor,  or  faint-hearted, 
Or  if  his  love  and  he  are  lightly  parted, 
In  the  deep  willow-woods  he  shall  remain, 
And  never  look  upon  your  face  again !  " 
The  maiden,  fancy-free,  was  well  content, 
And  with  light  laughter  gave  her  full  consent ; 
For  when  maids  think  of  love  (as  maidens  do) 
It  seems  a  far-off  thing ;  and  well  she  knew 
Her  lover,  if  she  loved,  would  be  both  brave  and 

true! 


48    GA WAYNE  AND   THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

Not  long  thereafter  came  an  errant  band 

Riding  along  the  edge  of  Fairyland,  — 

Stout  men-at-arms,  without  reproach  or  spot, 

And  in  the  lead  the  bold  Sir  Launcelot. 

He,  riding  on  ahead,  silent,  alone, 

Was  stopped  by  a  beseeching  ancient  crone 

Who  hobbled  to  his  side,  as  if  in  pain, 

And  clutched  with  palsied  fingers  at  his  rein. 

And  there  behind  her,  from  the  leafage  green, 

The  sweetest  eyes  his  eyes  had  ever  seen 

Were  gazing  at  him  with  wide  wonderment, 

Nor  bold  nor  fearful ;  innocence  unshent 

Shone  from  their  blue  depths,  and  old  dreams 

awoke 
In  Launcelot's  breast,  while  thus  the  beldame 

spoke : 


ELFINHART  49 

"  A  boon,  a  boon,  Sir  Launcelot  of  the  Lake ! 

I  pray  you  of  your  courtesy  to  take 

This  damsel  to  the  King.     Her  enemies 

Have  spoiled  her  of  her  birthright,  and  she  flees 

An  innocent  outcast  from  her  wasted  lands, 

To  lay  her  life  and  fortune  in  his  hands." 

She  spoke,  and  vanished  in  the  woodland  shade. 

Then  Launcelot,  leaning  over,  helped  the  maid 
To  mount  behind,  and  at  an  easy  trot 
They  and  the  troop  rode  on  to  Camelot. 
He  asked  no  questions,  for  some  fairy  spell 
Made  light  his  heart,  and  told  him  all  was  well ; 
And  as  these  two  rode  through  the  land  together, 
By  dappled  greenwood  shade  and  sunlit  heather, 
Her  soft  voice  in  his  ears,  the  innocent  charm 
Of  her  light,  steady  touch  upon  his  arm, 


50    GA WAYNE  AND  THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

Wrought  magic  in  his  soul.     That  day,  I  ween, 
Sir  Launcelot  well-nigh  forgot  his  queen. 
And  Elfinhart  (you  knew  those  eyes  were  hers !) 
Laughed  with  the  silvery  jingle  of  his  spurs, 
And  from  her  heart  the  new  world's  rapture  drove 
All  thought  of  Fairyland  —  excepting  love. 

And  so  to  high-towered  Camelot  they  came, 
The  golden  city,  —  now  a  shadowy  name ; 
For  over  heath-clad  hills  the  wild  winds  blow 
Where  Arthur's  halls,  a  thousand  years  ago, 
Bright  with  all  far-fetched  gems  of  curious  art, 
Shone  brighter  with  the  eyes  of  Elfinhart. 
She  came  to  Camelot ;  the  king  receives  her  ; 
And  there  for  five  glad  years  my  story  leaves  her. 
Five  glad  years,  and  this  "  episode  "  is  done, 
And  we  are  back  again  at  Canto  I. 


ELFINHART  51 

I  write  of  merry  jest  and  greenwood  shade, 

But  tales  of  chivalry  are  not  my  trade ; 

So  if  you  wish  to  read  that  five  years'  story 

Of  lady-love,  romance,  and  martial  glory,  — 

The  mighty  feats  of  arms  that  Gawayne  did,  — 

The  ever  ripening  love  that  Gawayne  hid 

Five  long  years  in  his  breast,  biding  his  time,  — 

Go  seek  it  in  some  abler  poet's  rime. 

My  tale   begins  with  the  young  knight's  brave 

soul 
All  Elfmhart's.     She  thinks  herself  heart-whole. 

But  at  that  Christmas  feast,  in  Arthur's  hall, 
With  night's  soft  mantle  folded  over  all, 
The  magic  influence  of  the  evening  tide 
Stole  on  their  two  hearts  beating  side  by  side. 
And  Gawayne  talked  of  troubles  long  ago, 
When  each  man's  neighbor  was  his  dearest  foe, 


52    GA WAYNE  AND   THE  GREEN   KNIGHT 

And  of  the  trials  he  himself  had  passed, 
And  the  high  purpose  that  from  first  to  last 
Had   been   his  stay  and   spur,  he  scarce  knew 

how, 

Since  on  Excalibur  he  took  the  vow. 
He  told  of  his  own  hopes  for  future  days, 
And  how  he  wrought  and  fought  not  for  men's 

praise, 
(Though  like  all  good  men  Gawayne  held  that 

dear), 

Yet  trusting,  when  men  laid  him  on  his  bier, 
They  might  remember,  as  they  gathered  round  it, 
"  He  left  this  good  world  better  than  he  found  it." 
He  talked  as  true  men  seldom  talk,  unless 
Swayed  utterly  by  some  pure  passion's  stress, 
And  ever  gently,  though  with  heart  on  fire, 
Still  hovered  nearer  to  his  soul's  desire. 


ELFINHART  53 

And  Elfinhart  in  gravest  silence  listened, 

But  her   sweet  heart  beat  high,  her  blue  eyes 

glistened ; 

For  as  he  bared  his  soul  to  her  she  dreamed 
A  day-dream  strange  and  new,  wherein  it  seemed 
That  in  that  soul's  clear  depth  she  saw  her  own, 
And  his  most  secret  thought  (till  then  unknown) 
Seemed  hers  eternally.     He  spoke  of  death, 
And  then  her  heart  shrank,  and  she  drew  deep 

breath. 

Suddenly,  ere  she  understood  at  all 
What  new  life  dawned  before  her,  came  the  call 
Of  fairy  horns ;  and  so  the  Green  Knight  burst 
Upon  the  scene,  as  told  in  Canto  First. 

One  jarring  note,  the  tuneful  chords  among, 
May  make  mad  discord  of  the  sweetest  song. 


54    GA WAYNE  AND  THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

E'en  so  with  dissonant  clamor  through  the  breast 

Of  Gawayne  rang  the  Green  Knight's  merry  jest ; 

But  what  wild  meaning  must  it  not  impart 

To  the  vague  fears  of  gentle  Elfinhart  ? 

For  she  had  heard  in  the  first  trumpet-blast 

A  signal  to  her  from  the  far-gone  past ; 

And   now,  of   all  the   strange   things  that  had 

been, 

Her  half  forgotten  compact  with  the  queen 
Flushed  through  her  memory,  and  a  swift  thought 

came 

Like  sudden  fear,  a  thought  without  a  name, 
An  unvoiced  question  and  a  blind  alarm ; 
And  in  sheer  helplessness  she  reached  an  arm 
Toward   Gawayne,  scarcely   knowing  what  she 

would ; 
Her  eyes  beheld  him,  and  she  understood. 


ELFINHART  55 

And  is  it  Gawayne  ?     He  ?    Yes,  Elfinhart, 
The  hour  has  come,  and  you  must  play  your  part. 

So  now  it 's  all  explained  ;  and  I  intend 

To  go  straight  onward  to  the  story's  end. 

Sir   Gawayne   had   cut  off  the   Green   Knight's 

head, 

And  Arthur  and  his  court  had  gone  to  bed ; 
In  the  great  hall  the  dying  embers  shone 
With  a  faint  ghostly  gleam,  and  there,  alone, 
While  all  the  rest  of  Camelot  was  sleeping, 
In  the  dark  alcove  Elfinhart  lay  weeping. 
But  as  she  lay  there,  all  about  her  head 
There  fell  a  checkered  beam  of  moonlight,  shed 
Through  the  barred  casement ;  and  she  faintly 

stirred, 
For  in  her  troubled  soul  it  seemed  she  heard 


56    GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 
Vague  music  from  some  region  far  away. 
She  raised  her  head  and,  turning  where  she  lay, 
Saw  in  the  silver  moonlight  the  serene 
And  tranquil  beauty  of  the  fairy  queen  ! 

"  We  sent  before  you  called  us,  Elfinhart, 
For  love  lent  keener  magic  to  our  art, 
And  warned  us  of  the  thoughts  that  in  your  breast 
Awoke  new  rapture,  trembling  unconfessed." 
And  Elfinhart  moved  closer  to  her  knees 
And  hid  her  face  in  the  white  draperies 
That  veiled  the  fairy  form,  till,  nestling  there, 
Her  heart  recovered  from  that  blank  despair, 
And  whispered  her  that  whatsoe'er  befell 
Love  ruled  the  world,  and  all  would  yet  be  well. 
And  the  good  fairy  stroked  the  maiden's  head 
And  kissed  her  tear-starred   eyes,  and  smiling 
said: 


ELFINHART  57 

"  Fie  on  you  women's  hearts  !     Consistency 
Hides  her  shamed  head  where  mortal  women 

be! 
True  love  breeds  faith  and  trust,  it  makes  hearts 

strong ; 

The  heart's  anointed  king  can  do  no  wrong  ! 
And  yet  you  weep   as  if  you  feared  to  prove 

him;  — 

Upon  my  word,  I  don't  believe  you  love  him !  " 
And  Elfinhart  replied  :  "  Laugh  if  you  will, 
My  queen,  but  let  me  be  a  woman  still. 
You  fairies  love  where  love  is  wise  and  just  j 
We  mortal  women  love  because  we  must : 
And  if  I  feared  to  prove  him,  I  confess 
I  fear  I  still  must  love  him  none  the  less." 
She  paused,  for  once  again  her  eyes  grew  dim  : 
"  Think  you  I  love  his  virtues  ?     I  love  him  ! 


58    GA WAYNE   AND  THE   GREEN   KNIGHT 

But  yet  you  judged  me  wrongly,  for  believe  me, 
(And  then  laugh  once  again,  and  so  forgive  me), 
If  at  the  first  I  feared  what  you  might  do, 
My  doubts  were  not  of  Gawayne,  but  of  you  !  " 
And  so  both  laughed,  and  for  a  little  space 
Folded  each  other  in  a  glad  embrace ; 
(For  fairies,   bathed   the  whole  year  round  in 

bliss, 

May  yet  be  gladdened  by  a  fair  maid's  kiss)  ; 
And  Elfinhart  spoke  on  :  "  Do  what  you  will, 
I  trust  you  with  my  all,  and  fear  no  ill. 
But  oh,  my  friend,  to  wait  the  long,  long  year,  — 
To  keep  my  heart  in  silence,  not  to  hear 
The  words  my  whole  soul  hungers  for,  nor  say 
One  syllable  to  brighten  his  dark  day ! 
Must  it  be  so,  my  queen  ?     And  how  shall  I 
School  eyes  and  lips  to  act  this  year-long  lie  ? 


ELFINHART  59 

From  the  dear  teacher-guardian  of  my  youth 
The  only  ways  I  learned  were  ways  of  truth ! 
I  tried  my  skill  this  night,  and  learned  to  know 
That  there  are  deeps  below  the  deeps  of  woe ; 
Hearts  may  be  bruised  and  broken,  yet  still  live;  — 
The  wounds  that  kill  us  are  the  wounds  we  give ! " 

And  so  these  two  talked  on,  until  the  night 
Began  to  shiver  with  the  gray  dawn's  light, 
And  in  the  deep-dyed  casement  they  might  see 
New  life  flush  through  old  dreams  of  chivalry. 
And  then  they  parted.   What  the  queen  had  said 
I  know  not,  but  the  lady,  comforted, 
Bade  farewell  with  calm  voice  and  tranquil  eyes, 
And  saw  with  new-born  strength  the  new  sun  rise. 
Perhaps  in  Fairyland  there  chanced  to  be 
For  them  that  grieve  some  sovereign  alchemy 


60    GA WAYNE  AND   THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

To  turn  the  worst  to  best,  and  the  good  queen 
Applied  this  soothing  balm.     Such  things  have 

been  ; 

But  yet  I  doubt  if  any  fairy  art 
Was  needed  in  the  case  of  Elfinhart ; 
The  medicine  that  charmed  away  her  dole 
Nature  had  planted  in  her  own  sweet  soul. 
Of  all  sure  things,  this  thing  I  'm  surest  of,  — 
That  the  best  cure  for  love's  own  ills  is  love. 


CANTO   III 

GAWAYNE 


CANTO    III 

GA  WAYNE 

0  MUSE  !  —  But   no :  heaven  knows  I  need  a 

muse  ; 

But  which  of  all  the  nine,  pray,  should  I  choose  ? 
Thalia,  Clio,  and  Melpomene, 

1  love  them  all,  but  none,  alas,  loves  me  ; 
For  if  you  want  a  muse  to  take  your  part 
You  must  bs  solely  hers  with  all  your  heart; 
And  I  have  mingled  since  my  earliest  youth 
My  smiles  and  tears,  my  fictions  and  my  truth ; 
Nay,  in  this  very  tale,  scarce  yet  half  done, 

I  've  courted  all  the  nine,  and  so  won  none  ! 


64    GA WAYNE   AND   THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

Not  for  me,  therefore,  the  Parnassian  lyre, 
Or  winged  war-horse  shod  with  heavenly  fire  ; 
Harsh  numbers  flow  from  throats  whose  thirst 

has  been 

A  whole  life  long  unslaked  of  Hippocrene  ; 
But  I  will  e'en  go  on  as  best  I  can 
And  let  the  story  end  as  it  began,  — 
A  plain,  straightforward  man's  unvarnished  word, 
Part  sad,  part  sweet,  —  and  part  of  it  absurd. 

A  year  passed  by,  as  years  are  wont  to  do, 
Winter  and  spring,  summer  and  autumn  too, 
Till  mid-December's  flaw-blown  flakes  of  snow 
Warned   Gawayne   that  the  time  was   come  to 

go 

To  the  Green  Chapel  by  the  Murmuring  Mere, 
And  take  again  the  blow  he  gave  last  year. 


GAWAYNE  65 

In  the  great  court  his  charger  stamped  the  ground, 
While    knights    and   weeping    ladies    thronged 

around 

To  arm  him  (as  the  custom  was  of  yore) 
And  bid  him  sad  farewell  for  evermore. 
One  face  alone  in  all  that  bustling  throng 
Our  hero's  eyes  sought  eagerly,  and  long 
Sought  vainly ;  for  the  lady  Elfinhart, 
Debating  with  herself,  stood  yet  apart ; 
But  as  Sir  Gawayne  gathered  up  his  reins 
And  bade   the    draw-bridge   warden   loose   the 

chains, 

Suddenly  Elfinhart  stood  by  his  side, 
Her  fair  face  flushed  with  love,  and  joy,  and  pride. 
She  plucked  a  sprig  of  holly  from  her  gown 
And   looked  up,   questioning;  and    he   leaned 

down, 


66    GAWAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

And  so  she  placed  it  in  his  helm.     No  word 
Might  Gawayne's  lips  then  utter,  but  he  heard 
The  voice  that  was  his  music,  and  could  feel 
The  touch  of  gentle  fingers  through  the  steel. 
"  Wear  this,  Sir  Gawayne,  for  a  loyal  friend 
Whose  hopes  and  prayers  go  with  you  to  the 

end." 

And,  staying  not  for  answer,  she  withdrew, 
And  in  the  throng  was  lost  to  Gawayne's  view. 
He  roused  himself,  and  waving  high  his  hand, 
Struck  spur,  and  so  rode  off  toward  Fairyland. 

Long  time  he  traveled  by  an  unknown  way, 

Unhoused  at  night,  companionless  by  day. 

The  cold  sleet  stung  him  through  his  shirt  of 

mail, 
But,  underneath,  his  stout  heart  would  not  fail, 


GA  WAYNE  67 

But  beat  full  measure  through  the  fiercest  storm, 
And  kept  his  head  clear  and  his  brave  soul  warm. 
No  need  to  tell  the  perils  that  he  passed ; 
He  conquered  all,  and  came  unscathed  at  last 
To  where  a  high-embattled  castle  stood 
Deep  in  the  heart  of  a  dense  willow-wood. 
And  Gawayne  called  aloud,  and  to  the  gate 
A  smiling  porter  came,  who  opened  straight, 
And  bade  him  enter  in  and  take  his  rest ; 
And  Gawayne  entered,  and  the  people  pressed 
About  him  with  fair  speeches  ;  and  he  laid 
His  armor  off,  and  gave  it  them,  and  prayed 
That  they  would  take  his  message  to  their  lord,  — 
A  prayer  for  friendly  shelter,  bed  and  board. 
He  told   them  whence   he  was,  his  birth  and 

name; 
And  the  bold  baron  of  the  castle  came, 


68    GA WAYNE  AND  THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

A  mighty  man,  huge-limbed,  with  flashing  eyes, 
And  welcomed  him  with  old-time  courtesies ; 
For  manners,  in  those  days,  were  held  of  worth, 
And  gentle  breeding  went  with  gentle  birth. 
He  heartily  was  glad  his  guest  had  come, 
And  made  Sir  Gawayne  feel  himself  at  home ; 
And  as  they  walked  in,  side  by  side,  each  knew 
The  other  for  an  honest  man  and  true. 

That  night  our  hero  and  the  baron  ate 

A  sumptuous  dinner  in  the  hall  of  state, 

And  all  the  household,  ranged  along  the  board, 

Made  good  cheer  with  Sir  Gawayne  and  their 

lord, 

And  passed  the  brimming  bowl  right  merrily 
With  friendly  banter  and  quick  repartee. 
And  Gawayne  asked  if  they  had  chanced  to  hear 
Of  a  Green  Chapel  by  a  Murmuring  Mere, 


GAWAYNE  69 

And  straightway  all  grew  grave.         Within  his 

breast 

Sir  Gawayne  felt  a  tremor  of  unrest, 
But  told  his  story  with  a  gay  outside, 
And  asked  for  some  good  man  to  be  his  guide 
To  find  his  foe.     "  I  promise  him,"  said  he, 
"  No  golden  guerdon  ;  —  his  reward  shall  be 
The  consciousness  that  unto  him  't  was  given 
To  show  a  parting  soul  the  way  to  heaven  !  " 

Up  jumped  his  host.     "  My  friend,  I  like  your 

attitude, 

And  know  no  surer  way  to  win  heaven's  gratitude 
Than  sending  thither  just  such  men  as  you  ; 
I  '11  be  your  guide.     But  since  you  are  not  due 
At  the  Green  Chapel  till  three  nights  from  now, 
And  since  the  way  is  short,  I  '11  tell  you  how 


70    GAWAYNE  AND   THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

The  interim  may  be  disposed  of  best :  — 

In  short,  let  me  propose  a  merry  jest !  " 

At  this  Sir  Gawayne  gave  a  sudden  start, 

For  some  old  memory  seemed  to  clutch  his  heart, 

And  in  the  baron's  eyes  he  seemed  to  see 

A  twinkling  gleam  of  green  benignity 

Not  wholly  strange ;  but  like  a  flash  't  was  gone. 

Gawayne  sank  back,  and  his  good  host  went  on  : 

"  Two  days  you  sojourn  here,  and  while  I  take 

My  daily  hunting  in  the  wood,  you  make 

My  house   and   castle  yours ;   and   then,   each 

night, 

We  '11  meet  together  here  at  candle-light, 
And  all  my  winnings  in  the  wood,  and  all 
That  comes  to  you  at  home,  whate'er  befall, 
We  '11  give  each  other  in  exchange  ;  in  fine, 
My  fortune  shall  be  yours,  and  yours  be  mine." 


GAWAYNE  71 

To  Gawayne  this  seemed  generous  indeed. 
And  with  most  cordial  laughter  he  agreed. 
They  clasped  hands  o'er  the  bargain  with  good 

zest, 
And  then  all  said  good-night,  and  went  to  rest. 

Next  morning  Gawayne  was  awakened  early 

From  a  deep  slumber  by  the  hurly-burly 

Of  footman,  horseman,  seneschal,  and  groom, 

Bustling  beneath  the  windows  of  his  room. 

He  rose  and  looked  out,  just  in  time  to  see 

The  baron  and  a  goodly  company 

Of  huntsmen,  armed  with  cross-bow,  axe,  and 

spear, 

Ride  through  the  castle  gate  and  disappear. 
And  then,  while  Gawayne  dressed,  there  came  a 

knock 
Upon  his  chamber  door.     He  threw  the  lock, 


72    GA WAYNE   AND   THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 
And  a  boy  page  brought  robes  of  ermine  fur 
And  Tarsic  silk,  —  black,  white,  and  lavender,  — 
For  his  array,  and  with  them  a  kind  message, 
Which  the  good  knight  received  with  no  ill  pre 
sage  : 

"Will  brave  Sir  Gawayne  spare  an  idle  hour 
For  quiet  converse  in  my  lady's  bower  ?  " 
The  boy  led  on,  and  Gawayne  followed  him 
Through  crooked  corridors  and  archways  dim, 
Along  low  galleries  echoing  from  afar, 
And   down   a  winding  stair;    then   "Here  we 

are ! " 

The  page  cried  cheerily,  and  paused  before 
The  massive  carvings  of  an  antique  door. 
This   he   swung   open  ;  and   the  knight  passed 

through 
Into  a  garden,  fresh  with  summer  dew ! 


GA  WAYNE  73 

A  lady's  bower  in  Fairyland !     What  pen 
Could  make  that  strange  enchantment  live  again  ? 
Not  he  who  drew  Acrasia's  Bower  of  Bliss 
And  Phaedria's  happy  isle  could  picture  this. 
That  sweet-souled  Puritan  discerned  too  well 
The  serpent's  coil  behind  the  witch's  spell ; 
And    he   who   saw  —  when   the  dark  veil   was 

torn  — 

The  rose  of  Paradise  without  the  thorn, 
(Sublimest  prophet,  whose  immortal  verse 
Lent  mightier  thunders  to  the  primal  curse), 
Even  he  too  sternly,  in  the  soul's  defense, 
Repressed  the  still  importunate  cries  of  sense. 
Bid  me  not,  therefore,  task  my  feebler  pen 
With  dreams  beyond  the  limits  of  their  ken ; 
The  phantom  conjurings  of  the  magic  hour 
That  Gawayne  passed  in  that  enchanted  bower 


74    GAWAYNE  AND  THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

Must  be  from  mortal  eyes  forever  hid. 
But  yet  some  part  of  what  he  felt  and  did 
These  lines  must  needs  disclose.     As  he  stood 

there, 

Breathing  soft  odors  from  the  mellow  air, 
All  hopes,  all  aims  of  noble  knighthood  seemed 
Like  the  dim  yesterdays  of  one  who  dreamed, 
In  starless  caves  of  memory  sunken  deep, 
And,  like  lost  music,  folded  in  strange  sleep. 

"  How  long,  O  mortal  man,  wilt  thou  give  heed 
To   the   world's   phantom   voices  ?     The   hours 

speed, 

And  fame  and  fortune  yield  to  moth  and  rust, 
And  good  and  evil  crumble  into  dust. 
Even  now  the  sands  are  running  in  the  glass ; 
Set  not  your  heart  upon  vain  things  that  pass ; 


GAWAYNE  75 

Ambitions,  honors,  toils,  are  but  the  snare 
Where  lurks  for  aye  the  blind  old  world's  despair, 
Nay,  quiet  the  bootless  striving  in  your  breast 
And  let  your  tired  heart  here  at  last  find  rest. 
In  vain  have  joy,  love,  beauty,  struck  deep  root 
In  your  heart's  heart,  unless  you  pluck  the  fruit ; 
Then  put  away  the  cheating  soul's  pretense, 
Heap  high  the  press,  fill  full  the  cup  of  sense ; 
Shatter  the  idols  of  blind  yesterday, 
And  let  love,  joy,  and  beauty  reign  alway !  " 

Such  thoughts  as  these,  confused  and  unexpressed, 
Flooded  the  silence  in  Sir  Gawayne's  breast. 
Meanwhile  a  brasier  filled  the  scented  air 
With  wreaths  of  magic  mist,  and  he  was  ware 
That  the  mist  drew  together  like  a  shroud ; 
And  then  the  veil  was  rent,  and  in  the  cloud 


76    GA WAYNE  AND  THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

Stood   one  who  seemed,  in  features,  form,  and 

dress, 
The  perfect  image  of  all  loveliness. 

The  wonders  of  that  vision  none  could  tell 
Save  one  whose  heart  had  felt  the  mystic  spell. 
Once  and  once  only,  in  the  golden  days 
When  youth  made  melody  for  love's  sweet  lays, 
In  two  dark  eyes  (yet  oh,  how  bright,  how  bright ! ) 
I  saw  the  wakening  rapture  of  love's  light, 
And,  in  the  hush  of  that  still  dawning,  heard 
From  two  sweet  trembling  lips  love's  whispered 

word. 

The  twilight  deepens  when  the  sun  has  set ; 
In  memory  golden  glories  linger  yet ; 
But  these  avail  not.     Though  my  soul  lay  bare, 
With  all  those  memories  sanctuaried  there, 


GAWAYNE  77 

That  spell  was  human.     But  the  unseen  power 
That  wove  the  witchery  of  this  fairy  bower, 
In  Gawayne's  heart  such  subtle  magic  wrought 
That  past  and  future  were  well-nigh  forgot, 
And  all  that  earth  holds  else,  or  heaven  above, 
Seemed  naught  worth  keeping,  save  this  dream  of 
love. 

And  now,  as  the  strange  cloud  of  incense  broke, 
The  vision,  if  it  were  a  vision,  spoke,  — 
If  it  were  speech  that  filled  the  quivering  air 
With  low  harmonious  music.     Let  none  dare 
In  the  rude  jargons  of  this  world  to  fashion 
That  sweet,  wild  anthem  of  unearthly  passion. 
Could   I   from   the  broad-billowing  ocean   bor 
row 
Of  Tristan's  love  and  of  Isolde's  sorrow, 


78    GA WAYNE  AND  THE   GREEN   KNIGHT 

The  flood  of  those  world-darkening  surges,  wrought 
With  thoughts  that  lie  beyond  the  reach  of  thought, 
Might  bring  me  succor  where  weak  words  must 

fail. 

But  Gawayne  saw  and  heard,  and  passion-pale 
Shrank  back,  and  made  a  darkness  of  his  face ; 
(As  though  the  unplumbed  deeps  of  starless  space 
Could  quench  those  lustrous  eyes,  or  close  his 

ears 

To  the  eternal  music  of  love's  spheres  !) 
But  the  voice  changed,  and  Gawayne,  listening 

there, 

Heard  now  a  heart's  low  cry  of  wild  despair. 
He  turned  again,  and  lo  !  the  vision  knelt 
And  drew  a  jeweled  poniard  from  her  belt, 
To  arm  herself  against  her  own  dear  life ; 
But  as  she  bared  her  white  breast  to  the  knife 


GAWAYNE  79 

He  started  quickly  forward,  and  he  grasped 
The  hand  that  held  the  hilt ;  and  then  she  clasped 
Her  soft  arms  round  his  neck,  and  as  their  lips 
Met  in  the  shadowing  fold  of  love's  eclipse, 
All  earth,  all  heaven,  all  knightly  hopes  of  grace, 
Died  in  the  darkness  of  one  blind  embrace. 

Died  ?  Nay ;  for  Gawayne,  ere  the  moment  passed, 
Broke  from  the  arms  that  strove  to  bind  him  fast, 
And  turned  away  once  more ;  and,  as  he  pressed 
A  trembling  hand  against  his  throbbing  breast, 
His  aimless  fingers  touched  a  treasured  part 
Of  the  green  holly-branch  of  Elfinhart, 
Laid  in  his  breast  when  he  put  off  his  arms. 
What  perils  now  are  left  in  fairy  charms  ? 
For  poets  fable  when  they  call  love  blind ; 
Love's  habitation  is  the  purer  mind, 


So    GAWAYNE   AND  THE   GREEN   KNIGHT 

Whence  with  his  keen  eyes  he  may  penetrate 
All  mists  and  fogs  that  baser  spells  create. 
Love  ?   What  is  love  ?     Not   the   wild  feverish 

thrill, 

When  heart  to  heart  the  thronging  pulses  fill, 
And  lips  that  close  in  parching  kisses  find 
No  speech  but  those  ;  —  the  best  remains  behind. 
The  tranquil  spirit  —  the  divine  assurance 
That  this  life's  seemings  have  a  high  endurance  — 
Thoughts  that  allay  this  restless  striving,  calm 
The  passionate  heart,  and  fill  old  wounds  with 

balm ;  — 

These  are  the  choirs  invisible  that  move 
In  white  processionals  up  the  aisles  of  love. 

Such  love  was  Gawayne's,  —  love  that  sanctifies 
The  heart's  most  secret  altar ;  and  his  eyes 


GAWAYNE  81 

Were  opened,  and  his  pulses  beat  once  more 
Their  old  true  rhythm.     And  so  the  strife  was 

o'er, 

And  all  the  perilous  wiles  of  magic  art 
Were  foiled  by  Gawayne  —  and  by  Elfmhart. 

But  time  flies,  and  Jt  were  tedious  to  delay 
My  song  for  all  the  trials  of  that  day. 
Light  summer  breezes,  skurrying  o'er  the  deep, 
Ripple  and  foam  and  flash,  — then  sink  to  sleep  ; 
But  underneath,  serene  and  changing  never, 
The  mighty  heart  of  ocean  beats  forever, 
And  his  deep  streams  renew  from  pole  to  pole 
The  living  world's  indomitable  soul. 
Enough,  then,  of  the  spells  that  vexed  the  brain 
Of   Gawayne ;    love   and   knighthood   made   all 
vain. 


82    GA WAYNE  AND  THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

And  in  the  afternoon,  when  Gawayne  learned 

That  his  good  host,  the  baron,  had  returned, 

He  met  him  in  the  hall  at  candle-light, 

According  to  his  promise  of  last  night. 

And  then  the  baron  motioned  to  a  page, 

And  straightway  six  tall  men,  of  lusty  age 

And  mighty  sinews,  entered  the  great  door, 

Bearing  the  carcass  of  a  huge  wild  boar, 

In  all  its  uncouth  ugliness  complete, 

And  dropped  it  quivering  at  our  hero's  feet. 

"  What  do  you  say  to  that,  Sir  Gawayne  ?  "  cried 

The  baron,  swelling  with  true  sportsman's  pride 

"  But  come  :  your  promise,  now,  of  yester-eve  ; 

'T  is  blesseder  to  give  than  to  receive  ! 

Though   I  '11  be   sworn   you  '11  find  it  hard   to 

pay 
Full  value  for  the  winnings  of  this  day." 


GA  WAYNE  83 

"Not  so,"   said   Gawayne ;    "you  will  rest  my 

debtor ; 

Your  gift  is  good,  but  mine  will  be  far  better." 
And  then  he  strode  with  solemn  steps  along 
The  echoing    hall,   and    through    the   listening 

throng, 

And  with  the  words,  "  My  noble  lord,  take  this  !  " 
He  gave  the  baron  a  resounding  kiss. 
The  baron  jumped  up  in  ecstatic  glee. 
"Now    by    my    great-great-grandsire's    beard," 

quoth  he, 

"  Better  than  all  dead  boars  in  Christendom 
Is   one   sweet    loving    kiss!  —  Whence     did   it 

come  ? " 

"Nay,  there,"  Sir  Gawayne  said,  "you  step  be 
yond 
The  terms  we  stipulated  in  our  bond. 


84    GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN   KNIGHT 

Take  you  my  kiss  in  peace,  as  I  your  boar ; 

Be  glad;  give  thanks;  —  and  seek   to  know  no 

more." 

Loud  laughter  made  the  baron's  eyes  grow  bright 
And  glitter  with  green  sparkles  of  delight ; 
And   then   he   chuckled :    "  Sir,    I  'm   proud   of 

you; 
I  drink  your  best  of  health ;  /  think  you  '//  do  !  " 

And  now  the  board  was  laid  and  dressed,  and  all 
Sat  down  to  dinner  at  the  baron's  call ; 
And  Gawayne  looked  along  the  room  askance, 
Seeking  the  lady  ;  and  he  caught  one  glance 
Of  laughing  eyes  — then  looked  away  in  haste, 
But  turned  again,  and  wondered  why  his  taste 
Had  erred  so  strangely,  for  the  lady  seemed 
Not  fairer  now  than  others.     Had  he  dreamed  ? 


GA  WAYNE  85 

He  rubbed  his  eyes  and  pondered,  —  though  in 

sooth 

Without  one  glimmering  presage  of  the  truth,  — 
Till  all  passed  lightly  from  his  puzzled  mind, 
Leaving  contentment  and  good  cheer  behind. 
So  all  the  company  feasted  well,  and  sped 
The  flying  hours,  till  it  was  time  for  bed. 

One  whole  day  longer  must  our  hero  rest 

Within  doors,  to  fulfill  the  merry  jest. 

So  when,   next  morning,    Gawayne   once  more 

heard 

The  hunt's-up  in  the  court,  he  never  stirred, 
But  let  the  merry  horsemen  ride  away 
While  he  slept  soundly  well  into  the  day. 
Later  he  rose,  and  strolled  from  room  to  room, 
Through  vaulted  twilights  of  ancestral  gloom, 


86    GAWAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

Until,  descending  a  long  stair,  he  found 
The  dim-lit  castle  crypt,  deep  under  ground, 
Where  sculptured  effigies  forever  kept 
Their  long  last  marble  silence  as  they  slept, 
And  iron  sentinels,  on  bended  knees, 
Held  eyeless  vigil  in  old  panoplies. 

Sir  Gawayne,  wandering  on  in  aimless  mood, 

Pondered  the  tomb-stone  legends,  quaint  and  rude, 

Wherein  the  pensive  dreamer  might  divine 

A  tragic  history  in  every  line  ; 

For  so  does  fate,  with  bitterest  irony, 

Epitomize  fame's  immortality, 

Perpetuating  for  all  after  days 

Mute  lamentations  and  unnoted  praise. 

And  Gawayne,  reading  here  and  there  the  story 

Of  fame  obscure  and  un  remembered  glory, 


GAWAYNE  87 

Found  on  a  tablet  these  words :   "  Where  he 

lies, 

The  gray  wave  breaks  and  the  wild  sea-mew  flies  : 
If  any  be  that  loved  him,  seek  not  here, 
But  in  the  lone  hills  by  the  Murmuring  Mere." 
A  nameless  cenotaph  ! — perhaps  of  one 
Like  Gawayne's  self  deluded  and  undone 
By  the  green  stranger ;  and  the  legend  brought 
A  tide  of  passion  flooding  Gawayne's  thought ; 
A  flood-tide,  not  of  fear,  —  for  Gawayne's  breast 
Shrank  never  at  the  perilous  behest 
Of  noble  knighthood,  —  but  the  love  of  life, 
Compassion,  and  soul-sickness  of  the  strife. 
"  If  any  be  that  loved  him  ! >;     Oh,  to  die 
Far  from  green-swarded  Camelot,  and  lie 
Among  these  bleak  and  barren  hills  alone> 
His  end  unwept  for  and  his  grave  unknown,  — 


88    GA WAYNE  AND   THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

Never  again  to  see  the  glad  sunrise 

That  brightened  all  his  world  in  those  dear  eyes ! 

Half  suffocating  in  the  charneled  air 
Of  that  low  vault,  he  staggered  up  the  stair, 
Out  of  the  dim-lit  halls  of  silent  death 
Into  the  living  light,  and  drew  quick  breath 
Where,  through  a  casement-arch  of  ivied  stone, 
Bright  from  the  clear  blue  sky  the  warm  sun  shone. 
The  whole  of  life's  glad  rapture  thrilled  his  heart ; 
Till  a  quick  step  behind  him  made  him  start, 
And  there,  deep-veiled,  in  muffling  cloak  and  hood, 
Once  more  the  lady  of  the  castle  stood. 

Low-voiced  she  spoke,  as  if  with  studied  care 
Weighing  the  syllables  of  her  parting  prayer. 
"  Sir  Gawayne  —  nay,  I  pray  you,  turn  not  yet, 
But  hear  me  ; —  though  my  heart  may  not  forget 


GAWAYNE  89 

That   once,   for  one   sweet   moment,  you  were 

kind, 

I  come  not  to  recall  that  to  your  mind ;  — 
Between  us  two  be  love's  words  aye  unspoken ! 
Yet  ere  you  go,  I  pray  you,  leave  some  token 
That  in  the  long,  long  years  may  comfort  me 
For  the  dear  face  I  nevermore  shall  see." 
"  Nay,  lady,"  said  the  knight,  "  I  have  no  gifts 
To  give  you.     Errant  knighthood  ever  drifts 
From  shore  to  shore,  by  wandering  breezes  blown, 
With  naught  save  its  good  name  to  call  its  own. 
In  friendship,  then,  I  pray  you  keep  for  me 
My  name  untarnished  in  your  memory." 
"  Ah,  sir,"  she  said,  "  my  memory  bears  that  name 
Burnt  in  with  characters  of  living  flame. 
But  though  you  give  me  naught,  I  pray  you  take 
This  girdle  from  me  ;  —  wear  it  for  my  sake  ; 


90    GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

Nay,  but  refuse  me  not ;  you  little  know 
Its  magic  power.     I  had  it  long  ago 
From  Fairyland  j  and  its  encircling  charm 
Keeps  scathless  him  who  wears  it  from  all  harm ; 
No  evil  thing  can  touch  him.     Gird  it  on, 
If  but  to  ease  my  heart  when  you  are  gone." 

She  held  a  plain  green  girdle  in  her  hand, 

In  outward  seeming  just  a  narrow  band 

Of  silk,  with  silver  clasps  ;  but  in  those  days 

The  strangest  things  were  wrought  in  simplest 

ways, 

As  Gawayne  knew  full  well ;  and  he  could  see 
That  all  the  lady  said  was  verity. 
He  took  the  girdle,  held  it,  fingered  it, 
Then  clasped  it  round  his  waist  to  try  the  fit, 
Irresolutely  dallying  with  temptation, 
Till  conscience  grew  too  weak  for  inclination  ; 


GAWAYNE  91 

For  at  the  last  he  threw  one  wandering  glance 
Out  at  the  casement,  and  the  merry  dance 
Of  sparkling  sunbeams  on  the  fields  of  snow 
Wrought  havoc  in  his  wavering  heart ;  and  so, 
Repeating  to  himself  one  word  :  "  Life,  life  ! " 
He  took  the  token  from  the  baron's  wife. 

That  evening,  when  the  baron  and  our  knight 
Met  to  exchange  their  gifts  at  candle-light, 
The  baron,  looking  graver  than  before, 
Said  :  "  Sir,  my  luck  has  left  me ;  not  a  boar 
Did  we  get  wind  of,  all  this  blessed  day. 
I  come  with  empty  hands,  only  to  pray 
Your  pardon.   What  good  fortune  do  you  bring  ? " 
And  Gawayne  answered  firmly  :  "  Not  a  thing  !  " 


CANTO    IV 
CONCLUSION 


CANTO   IV 

CONCLUSION 

BY  noon  the  next  day,  Gawayne  and  his  host 
Rode  side  by  side  along  the  perilous  coast 
Of  the  gray  Mere,  from  whose  unquiet  sleep 
Reverberating  murmurs  of  the  deep 
Startled  the  still  December's  listening  air. 
The  baron,  shuddering,  pointed  seaward.  "  There," 
He  said,  "  year  in,  year  out,  these  voices  haunt 
That  fearful  water;    heaven    knows  what  they 

want ! 

Men  tell  me  —  and  I  have  no  doubt  it 's  true  — 
They  are  knights-errant  whom  the  Green  Knight 

slew! 


96    GAWAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN   KNIGHT 
Woe  unto  him,  the  over-bold,  who  dares 
Adventure  near  that  uncouth  monster's  snares  !  " 
Quoth  Gawayne  :  "  How  have  you  escaped  the 

net?" 

The  baron  answered  :  "  I  ?  We  never  met ! 
When  I  'm  about,  he  seems  to  shun  the  place, 
And  where  he  is,  I  never  show  my  face ; 
But  if  we  did  meet,  't  would  be  safe  to  say 
Not  more  than  one  of  us  would  get  away  !  " 

And  then  the  baron  told  tales  by  the  score 
About  the  Green  Knight's  quenchless  thirst  for 

gore, 

And  kept  repeating  that  no  magic  charm 
Was  proof  against  the  prowess  of  his  arm  ; 
At  his  first  blow  each  vain  defense  must  fall, 
For  he  was  arch-magician  over  all. 


CONCLUSION  97 

And  as  from  tale  to  tale  the  baron  ran, 

Sir  Gawayne,  had  he  been  another  man, 

Would  certainly  have  felt  his  heart's  blood  curdle, 

Despite  his  secret  wearing  of  the  girdle ; 

But  when  the  baron  finally  suggested 

Abandoning  the  venture,  and  protested 

That  the  whole  monstrous  business  was  absurd, 

Sir  Gawayne  simply  said  :  "  I  gave  my  word." 

And  when  the  baron  saw  he  would  not  bend, 

He   seemed  to   lose   all  patience.     "  Well,   my 

friend, 

I  '11  go  no  further  with  you.     On  your  head 
Shall  be  your  own  mad  blood  when  you  are  dead. 
Yonder  your  two  roads  fork  •  pause  there,  I  pray, 
And  ponder  well  before  you  choose  your  way. 
One  takes  the  hills,  one  winds  along  the  wave ; 
To  Camelot  this,  —  the  other  to  your  grave ! 


98    GA WAYNE  AND   THE   GREEN  KNIGHT 

Choose  the  high  road,   Sir  Gawayne;  shun  the 

danger ! 

Say  you  were  misdirected  by  a  stranger ;  — 
I  swear  by  all  that  's  sacred,  I  '11  not  tell 
One  syllable  to  a  soul :  —  and  so  farewell ! " 
He  galloped  off  without  another  word, 
And  vanished  where  the  road  turned.     Gawayne 

heard, 

Long  after  he  had  disappeared,  the  sound 
Of  iron  hoof-beats  on  the  frozen  ground, 
Till  all  died  into  silence,  save  those  drear 
And  hollow  voices  from  the  Murmuring  Mere. 

But  Gawayne  chose  the  lower  road,  and  passed 
Along  the  desolate  shore.     The  die  was  cast. 
The  western  skies,  as  the  red  sun  sank  low, 
Cast  purple  shades  across  the  drifted  snow, 


CONCLUSION  99 

And  Gawayne  knew  that  the  dread  hour  was  come 
For  the  fulfillment  of  his  martyrdom. 

And  now,  from  just  beyond  a  jutting  hill, 

Came  hideous  sounds,  as  of  a  giant  mill 

That    hisses,   roars,    and    sputters,   clicks    and 

clacks  ;  — 

It  was  the  Green  Knight  sharpening  his  axe  ! 
And  Gawayne,  coming  past  the  corner,  found  him, 
With  ghastly  mouldering  skulls  and  bones  strewn 

round  him, 

In  joyous  fury  urging  the  keen  steel 
Against  the  surface  of  his  grinding  wheel. 
The  place  was  a  wild  hollow,  circled  round 
With  barren  hills,  and  on  the  bottom  ground 
Stood  the  Green  Chapel,  moss-grown,  solitary ;  — 
In  sooth,  it  seemed  the  devil's  mortuary ! 


ioo     GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

The  Green  Knight's  back  was   turned,  and  he 

stirred  not 

Till  Gawayne  hailed  him  sharply  ;  then  he  shot 
One  glance  —  as  when,  o'erhead,  a  living  wire 
Startles  the  night  with  flashes  of  green  fire  ;  — 
Then   hurried    forward,   bland   as   bland   could 

be, 

And  greeted  Gawayne  with  green  courtesy. 
"  Dear  sir,  I  ask  a  thousand  pardons ;  pray 
Forgive  me.  You  are  punctual  to  the  day ; 
That 's  good  !  Of  course  I  knew  you  would  not 

fail. 

How  do  you  do  ?     You  look  a  trifle  pale ; 
I  trust,  with  all  my  heart,  you  are  not  ill  ? 
Just  the  cold  air  ?     It  does  blow  rather  chill ! 
What  can  I  do  to  cheer  you  ?  Let  me  see  ;  — 
Suppose  I  brew  a  cup  of  hot  green  tea  ? 


CONCLUSION  101 

You  'Id  rather  not  ?    You  're  pressed  for  time  ? 

Of  course, 

I  understand  ;  then  just  get  off  your  horse,' 
And  I  '11  do  all  I  can  to  expedite 
Our  little  business  for  you.     There,  that 's  right ; 
And  now  your  helmet  ?  Thanks  ;  and  if  you  please 
Perhaps  you  '11  kindly  kneel  down  on  your  knees, 
As  I  did  when  I  came  to  Camelot ;  So  ! 
Are  you  all  ready  ?     Will  you  bide  the  blow  ? " 
And  Gawayne  said  "  I  will,"  in  such  soft  notes 
As  happy  bridegrooms  utter,  when  their  throats 
Are  paralyzed  with  blest  anticipation  ;  — 
(What  Gawayne  looked  for  was  decapitation  !) 
And  then  the  Green  Knight  swung  his  axe  in  air 
With  a  loud  whirr  ;  and  Gawayne,  kneeling  there, 
Shrank  back  an  inch  ;  and  the  green  giant  stayed 
His  threatening  hand,  and  with  a  cold  sneer  said  : 


102    GAWAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

"  You  shrink,  sir,  from  the  axe ;  I  can't  hit  true 
Unless  you  hold  still,  as  I  did  for  you." 
"  Your  pardon,"  Gawayne  said,  with  bated  breath  ; 
"  This  time  I  swear  to  hold  as  still  as  death." 
He  did  so,  and  the  Green  Knight  swung  again 
His  axe,  and  whirled  it  round  his  head,  and  then, 
Pausing  a  second  time,  said  :  "  Very  good  ! 
You  're   holding  quite  still   now ;   I   knew  you 

would ! " 

Gawayne,  in  anger,  said :  "Jest,  if  you  like, 
After  the  blow  ;  tarry  no  longer  ;  strike  !  " 
So  once  again  the  ponderous  axe  was  raised  ; 
But  this  time  down  it  came,  and  lightly  grazed 
Sir  Gawayne's  neck.    He  felt  the  hot  blood  flow, 
And  saw  red  drops  that  sank  deep  in  the  snow, 
And  then  he  jumped  up,  faced  his  foe,  and  cried  : 
"Enough :  you  owed  me  one  blow,  though  I  died ; 


CONCLUSION  103 

But  be  you  man  or  beast  or  devil  abhorred, 
I  yield  no  further ;  with  my  mortal  sword 
I  do  defy  you ;  and  if  mortal  man 
May  hope  against "... 

But  the  Green  Knight  began 
A  low  melodious  laugh,  like  running  brooks 
Whose  pebbly  babble  fills  the  shadowy  nooks 
Of  green-aisled  woodlands,  when  the  winds  are 

still. 

"  My  friend,  we  bear  each  other  no  ill  will. 
When  first  I  swung  my  axe,  you  showed  some 

fear; 
I    owed    you    that    much    for    your  blow  last 

year. 
The  second   time   I  swung,  —  yet  spared  your 

life,  — 
That  paid  you  for  the  kiss  you  gave  my  wife  ! " 


104    GAWAYNE   AND   THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 

"  Your  wife  !  "     "  My  wife,  Sir  Gawayne ;  't  was 

my  word ; 

And  when  I  swung  my  weapon  for  the  third 
And  last  time,  then  I  made  the  red  blood  spirt 
For  that  green  girdle  underneath  your  shirt ! 
You  played  me  false,  my  friend  !  " 

And  Gawayne  knelt 

Once  more,  and  casting  off  the  magic  belt, 
In  bitter  broken  words  confessed  his  shame, 
And  begged  the  Green  Knight  to  avenge  the 

name 

Of  injured  knighthood,  and  with  one  last  blow 
To  end  his  guilty  life.     "Nay,  nay,  not  so," 
The  other  softly  said.     "  Be  of  good  cheer ; 
Your  fault  was  small,  for  all  men  hold  life  dear. 
We  tempted  you,  my  friend,  with  all  our  might, 
And  proved  you  in  good  sooth  a  noble  knight ; 


CONCLUSION  105 

A  veritable  Joseph,  sir,  you  are  !  " 
Quoth  Gawayne  drily,  "  Thanks,  Lord  Potiphar  ! 
But  may  I  ask  you  why  you  played  this  part  ? " 
The  other  said  :  "Ask  Lady  Elfmhart !  " 

He  smiled,  and  from  his  smile  a  genial  glow 
Of  green  mid-summer  seemed  to  overflow, 
Filling  with  verdure  all  that  barren  place. 
The  warm  red  blood  rushed  to  Sir  Gawayne's 

face; 

He  caught  his  breath,  and  in  his  eager  eyes 
There  shone  a  sudden  flash  of  dark  surmise, 
And  then  he  stood  a  long  while  pondering ; 
But  in  his  breast  his  heart  began  to  sing 
The  old,  old  music  whose  still  echoes  roll 
Forever  voiceless  through  the  listening  soul. 
He  said  farewell  to  his  good  fairy  friend 
As  in  a  dream,  where  real  and  unreal  blend 


io6    GA WAYNE  AND  THE  GREEN   KNIGHT 

In  phantom  unison,  and  with  the  light 

Of  love  to  lead  him  home,  rode  through  the  night, 

Beside  the  tranquil  murmurs  of  the  Mere, 

And  through  the  silence  of  the  passing  year ; 

And  earth  and  sea  and  starlit  sky  took  part 

In  the  still  exaltation  of  his  heart, 

While  all  but  love  and  wonder  was  forgot, 

Until  he  came  to  high-towered  Camelot. 

To  Camelot  he  came,  and  there  he  found 
The  good  King  Arthur  and  his  Table  Round 
Awaiting  his  return  in  anxious  doubt ; 
But  ere  he  passed  the  gates  a  mighty  shout 
Rose  from  the  watchmen  on  the  outward  wall 
And  bore  the  tidings  to  the  inmost  hall. 
From  every  window  flaunting  flags  were  flung  ; 
From  the  high  battlements  brass  trumpets  sung  j 


CONCLUSION  107 

And  great  bells,  chiming  in  the  topmost  tower, 
Pealed  salutation  to  the  joyous  hour, 
As  Gawayne,  riding  through  the  cullis-port, 
Faced  the  glad  throng  that  filled  the  palace  court. 

And  with  this  tribute  paid  to  knightly  glory 
It  seems  most  fitting  to  conclude  my  story. 
Entreat  me  not,  dear  reader,  to  impart 
Further  of  Gawayne,  or  of  Elfinhart. 
Let  your  own  fancy  round  the  story  out 
Whatever  way  you  please  ;  I  cannot  doubt 
The  sequel ;  but  when  I,  in  silent  thought, 
Had   brought   Sir   Gawayne   back  to   her,   and 

sought 

With  hand  profane  to  lift  the  veil,  behind 
Whose  secret  shelter  their  two  hearts  enshrined 
The  mutual  covenant  of  love's  mystery, 
That  pure  fane  would  not  desecrated  be. 


io8    GA WAYNE  AND    THE  GREEN  KNIGHT 
But  this  alone  I  know  :  the  power  that  wove 
Through  human  lives  the  warp  and  woof  of  love 
Wrought  not  in   darkness,  nor  with   hand   un 
sure  ;  — 

His  fabric  must  forevermore  endure. 
And  hence  I  doubt  not  that  these  two  were  blest 
As  none  may  be,  save  they  who  have  confessed 
Allegiance  to  that  mighty  spirit's  law, 
And  trod  his  holy  ground  with  reverent  awe. 


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Gwiyne  &  the  green 

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